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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 398 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $92,881 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $79,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,334 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Northwestern University
North Central College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 20 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at North Central College
University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #4. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 218 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $69,871 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Illinois At Chicago
A rank of #5 makes Bradley University one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $71,746 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Bradley University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 71 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $66,546. Typical student debt for the program is $23,110.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 137 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $82,161. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Northern Illinois University
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 110 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $74,291. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Illinois Institute Of Technology
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $69,454. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Western Illinois University came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 12 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Western Illinois University
